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Foundryside
by Robert Jackson Bennett
Sancia Grado is a thief with a unique talent, but in the industrial city of Tevanne, talent is a liability. The city runs on scriving, a form of reality-hacking where physical objects are convinced to ignore the laws of physics. When Sancia steals a sentient artifact, she accidentally triggers a power struggle that threatens to dismantle the city’s corporate houses. The story moves at a frantic, breathless clip, balancing high-stakes technical heists with a growing sense of dread as the implications of the magic become clear. It feels like a cyberpunk thriller wearing a fantasy cloak, grounded by a cast of damaged, pragmatic outcasts. If you enjoy magic systems that function like computer code and stories where the oppressed use the master's tools to dismantle the system, you will find this hard to put down.
10 Books similar to 'Foundryside'
Since you enjoyed the intersection of intricate magic and corporate greed in Foundryside, these selections focus on similar structural elements. We picked books that highlight the heist genre, the gritty urban underdog experience, and systems where magic acts as a tangible, rule-bound technology. Whether you want the sharp-edged political maneuvering of Jade City or the criminal ingenuity found in The Lies of Locke Lamora, these stories mirror the feeling of navigating a dangerous, technologically complex world. These authors excel at creating environments where your wits are your only true survival tool.
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Like Foundryside, this novel centers on a high-stakes heist executed by a group of outcasts with specialized skills. It shares a gritty, urban fantasy atmosphere and focuses heavily on the intricate dynamics of a found family navigating a corrupt, dangerous society.
Fans of the hard magic systems in Foundryside will appreciate the detailed, rule-based Allomancy system here. Both books feature a street-smart protagonist involved in a daring heist against an oppressive, god-like ruling class.
by Scott Lynch
This book is essential for those who enjoy the 'criminal mastermind' aspect of Sancia's world. It features a brilliant, witty protagonist operating in a richly realized city where magic and technology collide, leading to complex schemes and political maneuvering.
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by N.K. Jemisin
Readers who enjoyed the unique world-building and the way magic functions as a fundamental, often dangerous, aspect of reality in Foundryside will be captivated by this series. It features a harsh, unforgiving world and a protagonist fighting to survive against systemic oppression.
For those who loved the weird, industrial, and slightly steampunk aesthetic of Tevanne, this book offers an unparalleled, immersive city-building experience. It blends bizarre science and magic in a way that feels grounded, dangerous, and incredibly imaginative.
This book features a clever, street-smart protagonist who discovers a hidden world of magic, much like Sancia's journey in Foundryside. It balances intricate world-building with political intrigue and a fascinating, rule-based approach to magical history.
by V.E. Schwab
If you enjoyed the morally grey characters and the exploration of how magic can be scientifically studied and exploited, this is a perfect match. It focuses on the rivalry between two brilliant individuals who push the limits of what is possible, resulting in a tense, character-driven narrative.
This novel features a group of thieves in a city where gods, monsters, and alchemical horrors are commonplace, mirroring the high-stakes, dangerous atmosphere of Foundryside. The magic system is unique, visceral, and central to the plot's many twists.
Set in a floating, post-climate-change metropolis, this story shares the 'cyberpunk-fantasy' feel of Foundryside. It explores class divides, corporate control, and the intersection of technology and human ability through a diverse cast of characters.
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